[10] However, PDP's policies between 2016 and 2022, which included the Philippine drug war and the proposed reinstatement of the death penalty,[11][12] has led it to be labelled as populist, syncretic, or "ideologically malleable.

[21][22] Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) was founded on February 6, 1982, in Cebu City by Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. and a group of protesters against the authoritarian government of Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th president of the Philippines, and his ruling party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).

[21] These protesters included the leaders of Cebu City, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro, such as former Cebu 2nd district congressman Antonio Cuenco as the convention's first chairman, Ribomapil Holganza, as the convention's first secretary-general, Zafiro L. Respicio, Rey Magno Teves, Cesar R. Ledesma, Samuel Occeña, Crispin Lanorias and Mords Cua.

[23] Ribomapil Holganza, then the party's Secretary-General, with the support of the other Visayas delegates, proposed the name Katipunan, in honor of the historic Filipino nationalist movement.

[25] Political scientist Alex Magno described PDP as "more advanced… in its analysis of Philippine society and the ills that beset it" compared with the mainstream anti-Marcos groups.

[26] In early 1982, talks began between Pimentel Jr. and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. on the possible merge of PDP with Lakas ng Bayan (LABAN; lit.

[30] That same year, in anticipation of a snap election, influential opposition figures convened to select a common presidential candidate.

On July 1, 2015, as part of his bid for the 2016 presidential election, then-Vice President Binay resigned as party chairman and formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Immediately after the May 2016 elections, several representatives from other parties moved to PDP–Laban, notably: Geraldine Roman (Bataan), Alfred Vargas (Quezon City), and Ansaruddin Adiong (Lanao del Sur).

He stated that these new members might only be interested in identifying with the current administration, in order to boost their chances of winning in the upcoming 2019 elections.

[45] Some representatives, including Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya (Camarines Sur), had been eyeing to shift towards other political parties after Arroyo's ascendance to the House's leadership.

[46] Andaya also had said that some lawmakers might join Lakas–CMD, Arroyo's former party, and merge with Sara Duterte-Carpio's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

[49] Willy Talag, president of the party's Makati city council and chair of the membership committee of the NCR Chapter, said during an assembly of the party on July 27 that PDP–Laban's current leaders have committed violations, including holding mass oath-taking of members “without proper basic seminar” and swearing-in officials that are “involved in illegal drugs.

[49] Special Assistant to the President Bong Go said in an interview with CNN Philippines that Duterte is set to meet the two factions, in an effort to unite the party.

[56] Months later, on November 30, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released a statement recognizing Pimentel's group as the legitimate leadership of PDP–Laban.

[67][68][69][70][71] On September 9, 2021, the Cusi-led faction of PDP–Laban would nominate Duterte as their vice presidential nominee for the 2022 election but without a standard bearer for the presidency.

On April 19, 2024, during the party's national council meeting held at the Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City,[89] the Duterte-Cusi faction dropped the "Laban" from its name, reverting to its original name Partido Demokratiko Pilipino.

[7] Tolentino later resigned from the party in mid-2024 over difference on stance in the South China Sea dispute, leaving Dela Rosa, Go, and Salvador for renomination on September 20.

[93] On September 20, 2024, PDP formally formed an alliance for the 2025 elections with Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan and the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC).

Singer Jimmy Bondoc, former Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator & CEO Raul Lambino, and lawyer Jayvee Hinlo also filed as the additional senatorial candidates representing the party.

[95] Independents Victor Rodriguez, Rodante Marcoleta, and Apollo Quiboloy were also added into the lineup, ending up with nine senatorial candidates.

Eric Martinez, the party vice president for Luzon and independent senatorial candidate, opted not to be included in the slate as he intends to "discharge any political bandages.

"[96] The party launched their senatorial slate's campaign on February 13, 2025, at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila.

According to scholar Joseph Chinyong Liow, PDP-Laban operates as do many Philippine political parties: "weak, ideologically malleable, and often merely vehicles of personal ambitions", centered around Rodrigo Duterte specifically.

According to self-published materials, the party seeks a peaceful and democratic way of life characterized by "freedom, solidarity, justice, equity, social responsibility, self-reliance, efficiency and enlightened nationalism".

[115] It has touted as its five guiding principles the following: theism, authentic humanism, enlightened nationalism, democratic socialism, and consultative and participatory democracy.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa filed the candidacy as the party’s official candidate for the presidential race but later withdrawn.